Hopple coupling



May 18 1926.

- 1,585,261 J. c. NICHOLS HOPPLE COUPLING Filed April 27, 1925 6? /WC'W/jfW' John E Nich 015 Patented May 18,1926.

uurrs srra s JOHN C. NICHOLS, OE SHEBOYGAN, VTISCONSIN.

HOPPLE COUPLING.

Application filedAprilfiY, 1925. .Serial No. 26,086.

This invention relates to hopple coup lings. y

In certain types of harness such, for instance, as hopples, the greatstresses imposed at the joints of the sections of the hopple togetherwith their continuous rocking motion even while the stresses areimposed, cause rapid wear to occur with consequent cutting through ofthe parts.

This invention is designed to overcome the above noted defects, andobjects of the invention are to provide a hopple coupling which willtransmit the severe stresses from one portion of the hopple to the otherbut which will prevent relative rocking motion of the adjacent parts andwill thus avoid the rapid wear ordinarily occurring at these points.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of a hop- 1e. p Figure 2 is apartial sectional view through the coupling and the adjacent portions ofthe hopple.

Figure 3 is a view of the coupling removed from the harness.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Although the coupling is eminently suited to hopple constructions, itnevertheless, may be used in other portions of the harness. However, forthe purpose of illustrating the invention, a portion of the hopple isdisclosed and is thought suiiicient for illustrative purposes.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that a loop 1 of the hopplehas been shown together with a portion of the intermediate strap 2. Asis well known, suspending straps 3 and 4 are employed for holding thehopple in position.

The coupling is interposed between the straps 1, 2, and 4, as shown inFigure 1, and firmly connects these portions and prevents relativerocking motion of the parts, thus avoiding the excessive wear formerlyappearing at these points.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the coupling comprises anupper and a lower bar 5 and 6, respectively, which are joined by an endbar 7 and an intermediate bar 8. A pair of bars 9 and 10 are arranged inlaterally spaced and staggered relation adjacent the other end of thedevice and are adapted to receive the looped end 2 of the strap 2, asshown most clearly in Figure 2, such loop passing around theintermediate bar 8. These spaced bars 9 and 10' prevent rocking of thisintermediate portion of the strap. y a j The loop 1 is provided with aportion 1 which is passed around the end bar 7. This end bar, it will benoted, is provided with an outwardly projecting tongue 11. which extendsbetween the portions of the strap 1. These portions of the strap arestitched together by upper and lower rows of stitching 12, as shown inFigure 1, thus definitely forming a pocket about the tongue 11 andholding such tongue rigid with reference to this portion of the strap.

The suspending strap 4 is passed around an upper bar 13 of the connectorand forms a loop about such bar. This bar is provided with an upwardlyprojecting tongue 14 corresponding to the tongue 11, previous lydescribed. The folded portion of the suspending strap 4 is provided withspaced lines of stitching 15 which form a pocket for the reception ofthe tongue 14. The tongues 11 and 14 are of substantially similarconstruction. They are wider than their thickness and only a relativelyslight bulge in the folded adjacent portions of the straps is occasionedby their presence. They occupy substantially the same relation to theirrespective straps and the sectional view shown in Figure 4, illustratestheir relative position to the adjacent straps.

It will be seen that the members of the hopple cannot rock about theconnector. The tongues 11 and 14 prevent such motion and consequentlymaterially decrease the wear, and insure a longer life for the deviceeven when subjected to great stresses.

hen it is considered that the hopple has its parts positioned about theleg of the horse to restrict motion ofthe legs, it will be appreciatedthat the several members of the hopple are in violent motion and alsoare subjected to great stresses. This connector therefore, serves thehighly useful purpose of forming an eminently effective coupling betweenthe parts and also of preventing relative rocking motion of the partswith consequent wear.

It will be seen further that the device is extremely simple and may bevery cheaply produced and easily positioned within the hopple.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, it isto be understood that the invention may be variously embodied and is,therefore, to be limited only as claimed.

I claim:

1. A hopple including a strap adapted to be passed around a horses leg,an intermediate connecting strap and a suspending strap, a couplingmember receiving the adjacent portions of the straps, and means on thecoupling member cooperating with said straps to prevent relative rockingmotion of the adjacent portions of said straps.

2. A harness coupling comprising a pair of spaced members, an end barjoining one end of such members and having an outwardly projectingprong, an intermediate crossbar, a pair of staggered cross bars joiningsaid members adjacent their other end, and a bar carried by one of saidmembers and spaced laterally therefrom and having an outwardlyprojecting prong.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand atSheboygan in the county of Sheboygan and State of Wisconsin.

JOHN C. N IGI-IOLS.

